Tasigna

This drug can infrequently cause serious (possibly fatal) irregular heartbeats (QT prolongation). Nilotinib should not be used in people with low blood levels of certain minerals (potassium, magnesium) or a certain heart problem (long QT syndrome). To lower your risk, your doctor will order certain blood tests (potassium/magnesium levels, liver function tests) before and during treatment with nilotinib. You should have a heart test (EKG) before starting nilotinib. The EKG should be repeated 7 days after your first dose, when your dose is changed, and periodically while you are taking nilotinib.

To decrease the risk of this effect, do not eat for 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking your dose. Other drugs/foods may increase the risk of an irregular heartbeat. Therefore, before taking this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. See also How to Use and Drug Interactions sections.

Uses

Nilotinib is used to treat a certain type of blood cancer (chronic myelogenous leukemia-CML). It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How to use Tasigna

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using nilotinib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach, usually twice daily about 12 hours apart or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not open, break, or chew the capsules. Do not eat any food for at least 2 hours before or for 1 hour after taking your dose. Taking this medication with food can increase the amount of drug in your body and increase the risk of serious side effects. If unable to swallow the capsules, the capsules may be opened and the contents sprinkled in 1 teaspoon of applesauce. This mixture should be swallowed right away (within 15 minutes). Use only 1 teaspoon of applesauce. Do not sprinkle the contents onto other types of food.

Drink plenty of fluids during treatment with this medication, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you are also taking an antacid, take it 2 hours before or after nilotinib. If you are also taking an H2 blocker (such as cimetidine, famotidine), take it 10 hours before or 2 hours after nilotinib.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, laboratory tests, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the contents of the capsules.

Side Effects

Many people using this medication have serious side effects. However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

This medication decreases bone marrow function, an effect that may lead to a low number of blood cells such as red cells, white cells, and platelets. This effect can cause anemia, decrease your body's ability to fight an infection, or cause easy bruising/bleeding. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following serious symptoms: severe tiredness, pale skin, signs of infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding (such as bloody/black stool, bloody/pink urine).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking nilotinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to lactose/galactose; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Nilotinib may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.

The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using nilotinib, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using nilotinib safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Nilotinib can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Therefore, it is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

See also How to Use.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: antacids, H2 blockers (such as cimetidine/famotidine), proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole).

Other medications can affect the removal of nilotinib from your body, which may affect how nilotinib works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (such as ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take if it is less than 2 hours before or 1 hour after a meal. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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